In history, something similar has only been achieved in 14 cases, six times due to the phenomenal Boston spreader Bobby Orr, who in the 1971-72 season collected a record 139 points (37+102). Paul Coffey crossed the hundred point mark five times, Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis and Brian Leetch did it once, which was the last to do it for the New York Rangers in the 1991-92 season. (By the way, the Czech points record for a defender in the NHL is held by Tomáš Kaberle, who had 67 points in the 2005-06 season).
Last season, Nashville captain Roman Josi came close to 100, but stalled at No. 96. “A great fullback, but he didn’t hang around in defense too much. As soon as we had the puck, he immediately went on the attack, ”said his former goalkeeper teammate David Rittich in an interview with Sport.cz.
Hockey Strike with Goalkeeper David Rittichvideo: Sport.cz
Karlsson dazzled the NHL in Ottawa in the 2011-12 season when he won the Norris Trophy for the first time as the best defenseman. And he repeated his triumph in 2014-15. Fast and extremely elegant skating in combination with an effective overview and finish managed to win.
“Erik is outstanding with his hockey IQ. The way he skates, the way he sees teammates. Knowing when to shoot, when to pass, you just have to feel it. Few people have such a feeling,” also understood the his current Russian teammate Yevgeny Svechnikov.
Thanks to a former teammate, Karlsson also has a favorable relationship with the Czech Republic. He and Milan Michálek were at each other’s weddings, his favorite brand of beer is Staropramen. “I really like Prague and would like to go back,” the Swedish defender said in an interview with Sport.cz a few years ago.
“When I first saw Erik, I thought: does this skinny guy want to play in the NHL? And then he became the best running back in the league. He made it easy for us, after his passes we went on goal ourselves” Michalek said.
But Karlsson also left Ottawa for personal reasons in 2018, when his wife Melinda lost their unborn child and subsequently accused teammate Mike Hoffman’s girlfriend of systematic harassment.
The most feared farm in the NHL is finished. Better cold than heat in crime! Discussion from the Příklep programvideo: Sport.cz
But the more famous Landsbro Village native (pace Johan Franzén) failed to reach “Ottawa level” in California for long, despite signing an eight-year, $92 million deal in July 2019. which made him the highest paid defenseman in NHL history.
Karlsson should have been a key factor in the Stanley Cup drive, but in the 2019 playoffs, the Sharks fell in the Conference Semifinals to St. Louis and have not played for the cup since. And people started talking and writing about General Manager Doug Wilson’s colossal blunder. Karlsson’s persistent groin problems and other injuries were also to blame.
Who else would have expected the resurgence of a defender who looked like a shadow of his successful years after he turned thirty? “He had personal problems too. But in the games I’ve seen this year, he’s been great. He’s dominating again,” Patrik Eliáš, the most productive player in the history of the New Jersey Devils, doesn’t hide his enthusiasm for him.
The last pre-Christmas duel of the Sharks with Minnesota (5:2) showed Karlsson in top condition. He had his third four-point (1+3) night of the season against the Wild. “That was it, huh?” exulted San Jose coach David Quinn. “It’s special, amazing. When you watch it, it plays like a video game.” His coach is convinced that Karlsson will exceed 100.
“Certainly. If he stays healthy, he’ll keep up that pace. One of the best players in the league, not just the best full back,” Quinn complimented.
Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey (6+33) is Karlsson’s biggest competitor so far in the fight for the best comeback of the season. However, the San Jose coach is clear. “Why Erik won two Norris trophies is no mystery. But I see more trophies,” joked Sibyla Quinn.
And it doesn’t matter if the Sharks, fifth from the end in the general standings, will not access the playoffs. In 2021, Adam Fox won the quarterback of the season award and his Rangers did not reach the knockout stages either.
